Major regional event for sheep farmers being held in North Devon this June

The eagerly-awaited Sheep South West event for sheep farmers which occurs only once every other year is this year taking place at Weston Farm, East Knowstone in North Devon.

The National Sheep Association’s event is a key business-to-business gathering for sheep producers across South West England.

This year’s farm hosts are the Stanbury family - Richard and Laura Stanbury plus Richard’s parents John and Rosemary, who will be pleased to give their guests a farm tour of the family’s beef and sheep enterprise across 500-plus acres, as well as rented and common grazing.

This popular biennial event always provides sheep farmers with an informative and enjoyable day out.

A record number of trade stands have been booked this year as well as industry leaders for the five seminars which range from health management to boost profitability, soil health, sourcing genetics, wool shedding and technical innovation.

Above: There will be tours of Weston Farm and its livestock throughout the Sheep South West event on June 25.

There will also be an opportunity to quiz the host farmers following farm tours.

Competitions include the South West heat of the NSA’s Next Generation Shepherd final, a photography competition with the theme of ‘All things Sheep’, lamb selection, fleece competition and ‘Gift of the Gavel’- run by auctioneers Kivells.

Demonstrations include ideas and advice on electric fencing and mobile watering solutions. The sheepdog sale also returns.

The Stanburys manage 1,200 ewes on their holding plus ewe lambs. Breeds include the wool shedding Easy Care and Exlana, as well as Romneys and North Country and Suffolk Mules.

All sheep are lambed and finished on permanent pasture and herbal leys with the majority of sheep (and cattle) overwintered outside. Rotational grazing is the key strategy to their success.

In addition to the sheep flock, there are 145 spring-calving suckler cows, including a 70-head herd of pedigree Devon cattle.

The day runs from 9am to 5pm and admission tickets on the gate are £15 adults, children under 16 free, students or Young Farmers Club members £7.50 and NSA members free (the latter two will need to produce current membership/student cards). International visitors get free entry on production of a passport.

How to find Weston Farm - sat nav EX36 4ED and What3words: ///easygoing.snappy.caring